Restoring species such as beavers, elk and bison ‘crucial' for nature
A project led by Wildwood Trust to reintroduce bison to a currently confidential site in the south of England within five years, drawing on the Wilder Blean project which was the first initiative to release the animals into an enclosure in Kent, has also received funding.
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BBC News
15-05-2025
- BBC News
Broadstairs, Margate and Ramsgate sightings of wild choughs
A bird that has been extinct in Kent for two centuries has been spotted in the choughs, a member of the crow family, were wiped out by changes in farming practices.A project by Wildwood Trust, Kent Wildlife Trust, and Paradise Park saw captive-bred birds released near Dover in have now been seen flying in Ramsgate, Margate and Broadstairs. Liz Cory, from Wildwood Trust, said: "We'd been using GPS to track the birds and had a sneaky suspicion they were venturing further afield. The tags only collect location fixes every two hours so we had gaps in the data."I started receiving reports from bird watchers of choughs flying over places like King George VI Memorial Park and Walpole Bay." With more captive-bred birds due for release, the charities are asking members of the public to report any sightings of the distinctive Hadaway from the Kent Wildlife Trust said: "These birds are not just a symbol of success for this project, they're indicators of a healthier, more resilient landscape."By helping to rebuild the natural systems in key habitats like rare chalk grassland, we're able to bring back lost species like the chough."These restored systems can then support biodiversity, climate resilience, and community connection to the land."In the long term it is hoped to expand the release programme so isolated breeding colonies can be connected along the south coast, in a bid to emulate the chough's successful reintroduction in Cornwall.
STV News
07-05-2025
- STV News
Restoring species such as beavers, elk and bison ‘crucial' for nature, say charity
Successfully restoring keystone species such as beavers, elk and bison is 'crucial' to bringing nature back to life in the UK, conservationists have said. Nature charity Rewilding Britain said that successfully reintroducing missing species could help repair natural systems and benefit wildlife, people and climate, as it announced the latest round of funding for rewilding initiatives. The latest recipients of the charity's rewilding innovation fund, which provides up to £15,000 for schemes, includes projects to restore lost species such as beaver, European bison – a close relative to the extinct bison that was once found here – and European elk. According to Rewilding Britain, rewilding is the large-scale restoration of nature to the point it can take care of itself, by bringing back habitats and natural processes and, where appropriate, reintroducing lost species such as beavers. The first licensed release of beavers to the wild in England took place in Purbeck earlier this year after the Government gave the go-ahead for wild reintroductions. Questions have been raised about the release of large animals following illegal releases in Scotland's Cairngorms of pigs, which were caught and culled, and four lynx, one of which died shortly after capture. But Rewilding Britain said successful reintroductions, done right with feasibility studies, impact assessments and community consultations, could be a positive move. Rebecca Wrigley, chief executive of Rewilding Britain, said: 'Keystone species like elk, bison and beaver play a vital role in bringing nature back to life. 'They help repair ecosystems and shape wild places in ways that benefit wildlife, people and the climate. 'Successfully reintroducing missing species like these is absolutely crucial. 'It's a complex process involving multiple stages of research and development, feasibility studies, impact assessments, and community consultations. By taking the time and effort to get it right, we can create a more hopeful future for everyone.' Among the schemes receiving funding is a joint project by Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire wildlife trusts exploring reintroducing European elk, which are forest and wetland grazers which engineer their landscapes, and are naturally found in freshwater wetlands where beavers also live. Although beavers are making a comeback in Britain, the UK has no wetlands containing both beavers and elk, and the project by the wildlife trusts is looking at reintroducing elk into two existing beaver enclosures in the counties. Rewilding Britain said the move would bring the two 'keystone' species – so called because they play a key role in an ecosystem – together for the first time in 3,000 years in the UK. A project led by Wildwood Trust to reintroduce bison to a currently confidential site in the south of England within five years, drawing on the Wilder Blean project which was the first initiative to release the animals into an enclosure in Kent, has also received funding. While European bison are not native to the UK, its close relative – the globally extinct forest bison – was here, at least during the last ice age, conservationists said. Paul Whitfield, director general at Wildwood Trust which is leading the project, said: 'This funding from Rewilding Britain is enabling us to take the next step in supporting bison reintroduction projects across the UK and inform policy to move the boundaries of bison rewilding. 'The success of Wilder Blean has demonstrated what an astonishing impact bison can have on their environment in a relatively short space of time, as well as the amazing opportunities their reintroduction presents for eco-tourism and education. 'We'd love to see reintroduction projects like Wilder Blean taking place at appropriate sites across the UK, bringing the benefits of this amazing keystone species to multiple habitats.' A project by Trees for Life has been awarded funding to help bring back beavers to the northern Scottish Highlands, working with communities, landowners and partners to find suitable places for the animals which shape their landscape to help other wildlife, store carbon and curb flooding. A further ten projects have been awarded up to £15,000 each from Rewilding Britain in this round of funding, including increasing tree species diversity in the Highlands, and a feasibility study into restoring seagrass in Cornwall. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Evening Standard
06-05-2025
- Evening Standard
Restoring species such as beavers, elk and bison ‘crucial' for nature
A project led by Wildwood Trust to reintroduce bison to a currently confidential site in the south of England within five years, drawing on the Wilder Blean project which was the first initiative to release the animals into an enclosure in Kent, has also received funding.
